Pak army claims that its financial reserves depleting fast

Islamabad: Pakistan`s war on terror could be affected as the financial reserves of the armed forces are depleting fast because of the on-going counter insurgency operations on the border with Afghanistan, the Defence Secretary Syed Athar Ali has said.

Ali, a retired lieutenant general has told parliament`s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that if required funds are not provided to the military, it would be forced to `reprioritise`
its options, possibly affecting Pakistan`s cooperation in the war on terror.

He told the lawmakers yesterday that the financial reserves of the armed forces were depleting fast because of ongoing military operations near or along the western border.

The PAC was discussing the accounts of defence services for 2007-08 at a meeting chaired by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the leader of opposition in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.

Ali said the armed forces` personnel were "heavily
engaged" in anti-militancy operations in Malakand division and
South Waziristan tribal region and these operations required
an uninterrupted supply of funds.

"During my recent meeting with US Defence Secretary, I
raised the issue of delays in release of money under the
Coalition Support Fund, telling him that in the absence of
necessary support we won`t be able to maintain high level of
cooperation," Ali said.

Pakistan`s expenses on the war on terror are reimbursed
by the US from the Coalition Support Fund. The US reimburses
Pakistan’s expenditure on food, clothing, transportation,
communications and medical care, helicopter operations and
repair and maintenance of equipment.

However, payments over the past few years have been
delayed after the US introduced a stringent auditing regime
following allegations that Pakistan had diverted funds
provided for the war on terror.

Ali said "some funds" were released under the CSF after
"a lot of bickering". Answering questions from the
parliamentary panel, he said the armed forces had demanded Rs
530 billion for the next fiscal year.

However, the government agreed to provide only Rs 488
billion, forcing the military to dig into development funds
and reserves maintained for contingencies and emergencies.

Auditor General Tanvir Ali Agha said it was not possible
for the government to meet budgetary estimates proposed by
every government department. "Here come in good financial
practices. You people have to readjust your priorities
according to the funding available," he said.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a senior leader of the
opposition PML-N, contended that the war on terror has been
imposed on Pakistan, "turning everything into a mess."